Kilkenny SFC Final: First half surge enough to give Dicksboro senior title

A dominant opening half display proved crucial as Dicksboro captured senior football honours at the expense of Lisdowney in a wet and windy Castlecomer.

After beating defending champions Mullinavat in the semi-finals, the ’Boro were well fancied coming into Thursday’s senior decider. Helped by the accuracy of Edward Moylan and a goal from Liam Moore, the match was all but settled after 20 minutes as the city side led 1-7 to 0-0.

Lisdowney did improve as the game went on, but they left themselves with far too much ground to make up. Even though Willie Kenny goaled late on, the North Kilkenny side’s attempted comeback fell short.

The weather conditions were relentless throughout the game and it was Dicksboro who dealt with the slippery ground the better early on as they hit 1-4 without reply within 10 minutes.

Edward Moylan, who was excellent over the course of the 60 minutes, kicked over the opening point in the third minute before following that up with a well-taken free from distance soon afterwards.

Dicksboro full-forward Matty Kelleher then kicked his side’s third point and when Liam Moore kicked in his side’s opening goal on the back of a storming upfield run from Aidan Nolan, the side in maroon and white were in firm control. When Moore followed up his goal with a well taken point to make it 1-4 and a third senior success was already within his side’s sights.

Midway through the half, Lisdowney created a goal opportunity that they really needed to take but, on the back of a wayward kickout, Mick Kenny could only drive the ball past the post.

Two more Moylan efforts and a Shane Stapleton score continued the Dicksboro tour de force to put 10 points between the teams before Lisdowney belatedly opened their account with a free from Mick Kenny in the 24th minute. That point was added to by a David O’Carroll score that looked like it may be heading for the net, but was blocked over the bar rather than under.
Brilliant save

Moylan and Lar Campion then exchanged scores before Lisdowney goalkeeper Niall Grogan saved brilliantly from a close in effort by Liam Moore.

Mick Kenny duly added his third and Lisdowney’s fourth point of the half as Dicksboro went into the break with a 1-8 to 0-4 lead.

Lisdowney needed a positive beginning to the second period if they were to have any hope of catching the ’Boro and they got it initially when midfielder Richard McEvoy pointed from a difficult angle.

Mick Kenny then looked to have reduced the gap to five points but a shot that looked to have gone between the posts was given as a wide by the officials. That stalled the Lisdowney effort somewhat as Dicksboro hit back with a point from Edward Moylan, that would in turn prove to be the winners’ only score of the second half.

The ’Boro weren’t without further opportunities though after Aidan Nolan and Darragh Holohan had effort saved before Lisdowney found the net at the other end with a Willie Kenny strike.

Jack Dunphy knocked over a point in stoppage time to make it a three point game but Dicksboro did enough to hold on for a first football title since 1997.

Teams and Scorers

Dicksboro - Edward Moylan (0-6, 0-4 frees, 0-1 45); Liam Moore (1-1); Shane Stapleton, Matty Kelleher (0-1 each).

Lisdowney - Willie Kenny (1-0); Mick Kenny (0-2, frees); Lar Campion, David O’Carroll, Richard McEvoy, Jack Dunphy (0-1 each).

Dicksboro - Oisin Gough; Eoghan Moylan, Niall Rowe, Sean Keenan; Joe Sheehan, Tom Kenny, Aidan Nolan; Kevin Moore, Eoin Fennelly; Bill Sheehan, Liam Moore, Shane Stapleton; Edward Moylan, Matty Kelleher, Mark Nolan.

Subs: Darragh Holohan, Kevin Nolan.

Lisdowney - Niall Grogan; Peter O’Sullivan, John Brennan, Lar Campion; Alan Dunphy, Peter Bergin, Dean Brophy; Richard McEvoy, Vinny Fitzpatrick; Willie Kenny, Liam Dunphy, Brian Kavanagh; Charlie Brennan, Mick Kenny, Niall Brennan.

Subs: David O’Carroll, Killian Dunne, Jack Dunphy, Joe Bergin, Jimmy Delaney.

Referee - Eamon Larkin